AUSTRALIA and SAN FRANCISCO STEAMSHIP LINE.

Southland Times, Issue 1092, 18 January 1869, Page 3

AUSTRALIA and SAN FRANCISCO STEAMSHIP LINE.

A few months ago notice was taken of the fact that some of the Australian papers were discussing the feasibility of direct steamship communication with San Francisco, and it was suggested that the Australian and New Zealand Steamship Company might find it profitable to change their American terminus. There was more in this suggestion thau mere talk. An agent of the Company named has been in this city for two weeks past, making enquiries and arrangements, looking to a probable change of route. If there are found to be sufficient inducements to justify it, Sau Francisco will, by next May at farthest, be mad<3 the terminus of the line on this coast, instead of Panama. It is knowu already that in point of distance Sau Francisco has the ( advantage, being 900 miles nearer than Panama, and 1,800 miles on the round trip would shorten the voyage by at least a week, and reduce the expenses. Then this city bas an extensive commerce, and through trade and personal intercourse is coming into more intimate relations with Australia and New Zealand. Tbe original motive of making Panama the terminus was to connect us with the British and French steamers for South America and Europe ; business will soon be less than the Australian line can make by coming to the nearer port of San Francisco, where the connections mentioned can be made soon by transhipment to Panama. But, better than this, the completion of the Pacific Eailroad, six or eight months hence, will make the overland route to New York, and thence by steamer to French or English ports, the shortest, quickest, easiest, and healthiest line of travel between Asia, Australasia, aud Western Europe. Travellers and traders in the Orient will not be guided by sentimental but practical views in making their journeys and forwardiug their orders, and steamship lines will be run to accommodate them. The American route, in the absence of railways from Europe across China will be the preferable one. The distance from Shanghai to London by this route is 2,100 miles less than by way of Suez. From Yokohama, in Japan, to London, the distance by way of San Francisco is already 4,000 miles less than by Suez and the saving in time almost one half' From Melbourne, in Australia, to San Francisco, the distance is 900 miles less than to Panama, and the saving of time at least four or five days. Such being the facts, and considering the great commercial importance of San Francisco as the emporium of the Pacific States and territories, and extensive steamship connection between this and those named is a certainty of the near future. The Australian line will probably be the first to make connection with the Pacific Bailroad at the beginning of the next summer. — ' Bulletin.'